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Effective control and monitoring of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) relies upon rapid and accurate disease confirmation. Currently, clinical samples are usually tested in reference laboratories using standardized assays recommended by The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). However, the requirements for prompt and serotype-specific diagnosis during FMD outbreaks, and the need to establish robust laboratory testing capacity in FMD-endemic countries have motivated the development of simple diagnostic platforms to support local decision-making. Using a portable thermocycler, the T-COR™ 8, this study describes the laboratory and field evaluation of a commercially available, lyophilized pan-serotype-specific real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) assay and a newly available FMD virus (FMDV) typing assay (East Africa-specific for serotypes: O, A, Southern African Territories [SAT] 1 and 2). Analytical sensitivity, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the pan-serotype-specific lyophilized assay were comparable to that of an OIE-recommended laboratory-based rRT-PCR (determined using a panel of 57 FMDV-positive samples and six non-FMDV vesicular disease samples for differential diagnosis). The FMDV-typing assay was able to correctly identify the serotype of 33/36 FMDV-positive samples (no cross-reactivity between serotypes was evident). Furthermore, the assays were able to accurately detect and type FMDV RNA in multiple sample types, including epithelial tissue suspensions, serum, oesophageal–pharyngeal (OP) fluid and oral swabs, both with and without the use of nucleic acid extraction. When deployed in laboratory and field settings in Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia, both assays reliably detected and serotyped FMDV RNA in samples (n = 144) collected from pre-clinical, clinical and clinically recovered cattle. These data support the use of field-ready rRT-PCR platforms in endemic settings for simple, highly sensitive and rapid detection and/or characterization of FMDV

The training program, KTC 20, is funded by Department of Agriculture, WoolProducers Australia, European Union and United Nations, aimed to train people strategically placed around Australia to help identify and coordinate control of FMD, and eradicate the disease.

During the Nepal trip, attendees visited farms to identify animals with the disease, estimate when the outbreak occurred on the property and tracked the animal’s movements prior to and post contamination.“Our field work included collecting information on demographics from infected farms and neighbours, identify the number of livestock contaminated and look at cultural events as sources of introduction,” he said.

Two course on “Real-Time” foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) training were completed in Kathmandu on Friday 12 May 2017. 34 veterinarians and animal industry stakeholders from Nepal, Australia and New Zealand participated this year in the training. The international team visited active outbreaks of disease, conducted thorough outbreak investigations and interviewed local farmers in the different localities of Kathmandu and Nawalparasi districts. During the field visits, the participants went through the process of understanding the transmission patterns and impacts of this highly contagious livestock disease. The training programme has been running since 2012 and is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. So far 120 Nepalese veterinarians alongside 250 Australian and New Zealand veterinarians have been trained

Progressive control pathways (PCPs) are stepwise approaches for the reduction, elimination, and eradication of human and animal diseases. They provide systematic frameworks for planning and evaluating interventions. Here we outline a PCP for tsetse-transmitted animal trypanosomosis, the scourge of poor livestock keepers in tropical Africa. Initial PCP stages focus on the establishment of national coordination structures, engagement of stakeholders, development of technical capacities, data collection and management, and pilot field interventions. The intermediate stage aims at a sustainable and economically profitable reduction of disease burden, while higher stages target elimination. The mixed-record of success and failure in past efforts against African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) makes the development of this PCP a high priority

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The last time there was a foot and mouth disease outbreak in Australia was 1872, but despite 145 years free from outbreaks, there isn’t an air of complacency surrounding the disease which has been known to devastate agricultural industries. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources vet Hannah Delahunty recently returned from a trip to Nepal, where she attended an FMD workshop to learn about the disease first hand. The five-day trip involved visiting a Nepalese farm with an FMD outbreak, conducting biosecurity and testing training, and visiting a farm which had suffered an FMD outbreak six months prior.

Rachel Gordon, LBN’s Manager Biosecurity & Extension, has recently spent a week in Nepal with the European Commission for the control of Foot and Mouth Disease (EuFMD). The EuFMD began real-time training courses in 2009 as a way of giving those who work in the livestock industry a unique insight into the diagnosis and investigation of a real FMD outbreak. The participants are then able to take the knowledge they have gained back to their own countries and raise awareness of FMD.

The Riverina is home to one of the most buoyant livestock producing sectors in Australia.The regional also enjoys an image as being “clean and green” which helps to sure up international markets and clear the way for trade opportunities.For those in the livestock industry ensuring the continuity of this status and the effectiveness of a thriving supply chain is paramount.Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association southern regional manager, Liz Summerville is based in Wagga and recently participated in a study tour to investigate the impacts of foot and mouth disease (FMD).Figures from the Australian Bureau of Agriculture Economics and Sciences (ABARES) indicate that if a FMD outbreak was to take hold in this country it would cost the economy $52 billion over 10 years. Understanding the disease and sharing this information among those in the livestock industry provided the impetus for Ms Summerville to participate in the Federal Government-funded FMD training in Nepal in December.